This year, the personal expenses of citizens and the official authorities in Poland to support Ukrainian refugees will exceed 25 billion zlotys (5.3 billion dollars) or almost 1% of the country's GDP, Bloomberg reports, citing a state think tank..

In the first three months after the start of the war, the Poles spent 10 billion zlotys to help the Ukrainians. This is evidenced by the results of a survey published by the Polish Institute of Economics (PIE) on Wednesday.. According to PIE, the government and local authorities allocated about PLN 15.9 billion for social benefits, health care and education for refugees in 2022.

More than two million Ukrainians have settled in Poland since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion on February 24, and this has spurred mass support from citizens, many of whom have taken in refugees..

A PIE study based on a survey of 2,200 adults conducted from April 25 to May 19 shows that 70% of Poles have participated in one way or another in helping Ukraine.

However, despite the fact that the war in Ukraine continues, the number of people involved in helping refugees decreased to 57% by the beginning of May..

Feelings of fatigue are growing - holding refugees leads to a sharp increase in rent and pressure on schools.

This means that in the future the role of the state in providing refugees will be key, the authors of the study summarize..

As reported, Poland remains the leader in accepting Ukrainian refugees in the European Union.. Recently, the country simplified the procedure for obtaining a Pole's Card for Ukrainians..

In turn, the Verkhovna Rada allowed Polish citizens to receive education and social benefits in Ukraine, do business, be taxpayers, etc.. , on a par with citizens of Ukraine.